Peat boats, wool mills and cigar factories shape the story of Veenendaal’s past. Mills and Fort aan de Buursteeg offer further ways to explore the area’s history and landscape. Start your discovery on a small scale at the town museum, then head out on walking and cycling routes that follow a range of themes and trails.

City history and mills

Stadsmuseum Veenendaal tells the city’s story, from old peat boats and wool and cigar factories to the present day. Exhibits, pictures and modern multitouch tables bring together the past, present and future. Early chapters sit alongside the history of industry and a look at the city today. Every year, the museum hosts changing exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and other activities. If you would like to plan your visit around one of them, check the current agenda.

The mills offer another glimpse into history. De Nieuwe Molen is a round, stone windmill used for grinding grain and as a landmark. It was built in 1911 to replace an earlier post mill of the same name and can be visited on Saturdays; check visitor information before you travel. De Vriendschap dates back to 1872. This corn mill still grinds flour using traditional methods, and everyone is welcome to visit.

The Monumentenrondje highlights peat, wool, cigars and steel as the four pillars of Veenendaal’s development. It connects different themes from the city’s history rather than focusing on a single building. As part of the route, you can also join a guided tour of a mill with a miller. Check in advance whether the tour is available.

Walks with a range of routes

The routes vary in length and layout. The Monumentenrondje is seven kilometres long and can be completed on foot, by bicycle, scooter or skates, or by running. The eight Veense Ommetjes are each about five to six kilometres long and run through Veenendaal or the surrounding area. If you would like to walk from Veenendaal-De Klomp station towards the city centre, the approximately five-kilometre Stationsroute De Klomp takes you through nature, history, and old and new industry.

There is a walking route of about 2.5 kilometres at Fort aan de Buursteeg. Along the way, you’ll come across preserved Dutch and German bunkers, reconstructed trenches, a shelter for anti-tank guns and natural scenery. The fort is also home to the Grebbelinie Bezoekerscentrum. It lies between Veenendaal, Renswoude and Ederveen and tells the story of the waterline, which played a role in the country’s defence for centuries. The visitor centre is just over a kilometre on foot from Veenendaal-De Klomp station; check walking conditions before you travel.

Countryside and local flavours

Veenendaal lies between the two large nature areas of Kwintelooijen and Prattenburg, which are outside the immediate town area. For a longer look at the surrounding area, take the Rondje Gelderse Vallei cycling route: it is 35.7 kilometres long and runs through the wooded landscape and countryside around Veenendaal. The shorter walks, routes in town and this cycling route therefore offer options for different amounts of time.

At De Eekhoeve, you can pick or cut your own flowers, vegetables and fruit in the gardens; availability depends on the season. Landwinkel De Eekhoeve and the “Bij Kees & Sien” tea house offer high tea and farm tastings. You can also try the local product Veens Kaatje at the farm shop. Check booking details and product availability in advance. This lets you combine a visit to the gardens with local flavours, while keeping the season in mind.

Discover more destinations: Veenendaal, Zeist, Bunschoten, Eemnes, Breukelen, Wijk Bij Duurstede, Maarssen, Woudenberg

For the broader travel overview: Utrecht.